Variety Halloween Party Prep

Hi everyone!!! The time is here!!! Yippee!!!

I know I have not stopped talking about this Halloween Party at work for weeks now and it is finally here!!!

I spent the past two days with about 40 others decorating our cafeteria at work! It gets bigger and better every year and this year will be no exception!!!

Here is the photo heavy post...get ready to be amazed!!

This is the photo area about halfway done.  The R2D2 painting was done by a University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) art student - this professor had his class participate every year...they are amazing artists!!!

 
This is a photo of the other side of the photo room.  On the right side of this picture are more paintings by the Pitt students!

 
I spent my first day decorating the ceilings of our cafeteria! This meant up and down on this ladder ALL DAY!!!! I hung light sabers (made from foam pool noodles and twirlies). I had to cover the entire ceiling - it's a big ceiling!!! HA

 
We ordered these life size cutouts...

 
and a few more cutouts (the kids love to get pictures with these)...

 
A few more cutouts and boxes that needed setup and unpacked...we use things from the previous years if we are able to based on the new theme.

 
I had to get a selfie with Chewbacca...

 
Here is a wide shot of the cafeteria after the star paper was completed on all the windows...we like to cover the windows to do a black out effect and the star paper was perfect for a galaxy look...

 
Every year the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Team makes a experience area. The kids can go behind it and do a few experiments that relate to the theme. This year they went crazy and built the entire Millennium Falcon!! It was huge and so lifelike!!!

 
Here are a few more of the paintings by the art students at Pitt

 
and more...

 
I worked on covering these front doors with a few other people also. This took hours too!

 
Here is the drink station...fruit juices that is...ha!

 
Here is another look from the cafeteria into the seating area...

 
All of the employees get an opportunity to compete in a pumpkin decorating contest! Here are the pumpkin entries (mine is the white one...I made a unicorn to match my costume) HA! I enter every year and always go with the theme and I NEVER win...I never even got third place so this year I went with the ever so popular unicorn to see if I can finally get a win!!! I know I will get all of the little girls votes at least!!

 
A few more...

 
And more...

 
Pumpkins galore...

 
And last but not least...everyone is soooo creative every year!

 
Here is the entrance area - we put one of the variety bikes in the entrance. These bikes allow kids that need assistance to ride bikes...they are adapted to the child's special needs so now EVERY KID can be kid and ride a bike! Variety charity is AMAZING!

 
Another decorated area....

 
The photo area again...

 

I am soooo excited for the party tomorrow and I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!!!!

Wednesday Medley with Terri

Happy Hump Day ya'll!!!! Yea!!! Halfway through...

Today I am joining Terri for Wednesday Medley...if you wan to join in just copy and answer the questions below and go to Terri's blog and leave a comment on her post. That's it...

Here we go!!!

1. This week is County Fair Week in my old stomping grounds.  The Fairfield County (Ohio) Fair holds fond memories for me, especially of the marching band show on the race track, in front of the grandstand, and of 4-H sewing projects.  Do you have a memory to share of a county or state fair!!  I love the Butler County Fair in Butler, PA and the Great Trail Festival in Malvern, OH. We go to both of these almost every year! I love all the dried flowers and herbs at Great Trail and really just go for the food and bands at the Butler County Fair. I also make a point to go to the Castle Shannon VFD Carnival about 20 minutes from my house!  But I love any good fair...even those little ones with the pop up rides in parking lots!!! HA HA! Although after all the recent ride safety issues, I may avoid the rides and just eat the awesome food!!!

2. If animals could talk, which would be the rudest? I think it would have to be monkeys!! I love them and think they are adorable but the things I have seen them do... out in the open ... in the windows of a zoo (while everyone is watching)....I can ONLY IMAGINE what they would talk about! LOL!

3. What mythical creature would improve the world most if it existed? Definitely unicorns!!! Except for the fact that they poop rainbows..that may not improve anything but it is something I recently learned from my nieces...HA HA!

4. What is something that everyone looks stupid doing? Texting on their phones as a group of people; they are all standing together or eating together but yet, they are all on their phones and not even paying any attention to the ones they are with...you can watch life passing them by as they text. HA

5. Is intelligence or wisdom more useful?  Wisdom...definitely! I am not a highly intelligent person but I have life skills and wisdom and that gets me far!

6. Tell us something random about the rest of your week! I will be off work using volunteer hours to setup for the Variety Charity Halloween party we are having at work this weekend!!! YIPPEE!!!

Thanks again for hosting Terri! Have a great week everyone!! Did you know that unicorns poop rainbows? Are you dressing up for Halloween? Do you go scary, cute, sexy or funny?

Steelers Win Against Falcons

Let me start off by saying...I am a proud Aunt! I love when my sisters and brothers send me pics of their kids!!!! I promise to always share them with you! I got this on Saturday...

My brother lives in Columbus so it is inevitable that my nieces and nephews will be buckeyes...it is starting early!! HA!

On Sunday, I spent the day with family again at the Steelers Game in Heinz Field!!!! The Steelers were playing the Atlanta Falcons. I got to go with my mother and father using my friend's tickets. It was such a great day! It was supposed to be hot which I love way better than having to bundle up for snow!

It is so hard to believe that it is October with the weather we are having in Pittsburgh, PA. It usually snows on Halloween and this year it is 90 degrees 3 weeks before Halloween!!! HA!

My sister and her family came down to the game and we met up with them beforehand. Their seats are in a different section from us but we got together for lunch before the game.

We met up at Local Brewhouse on the North Shore in Pittsburgh. It was great! Here we are....

What a great game!!! We do not have shade in any of our seats and it was 90 degrees! We just kept wet terrible towels on our heads and necks and kept praying for clouds!!! Great game though!!!! I think the final score was 40 to 17? Steelers won!! YEA~

Here is the view from our seats at Sunday's game!!!

When I was in Kauai, Hawaii ...I ordered french toast. When it came to the table; instead of butter or whipped cream it had Haupia (Pronounced halpia) on top. It is a square of creamy, coconut pudding!!! Yummy!! It was so delish on the french toast! Before I left the island, my friend Mariela bought me some so I could bring it home to make. It is sold as a powder that you mix with water and let harden in the fridge. It is the consistency of jello jigglers. SOOOO YUMMY!!!

 The finished product!

This is soooo yummy on french toast, waffles and pancakes!!!! It is a delish way to add sweetness without sugar or syrup!! YUMMO! If you love coconut, you will love this cream treat!

Have a great day everyone~~~

Anyone ever tried the locals favorite foods while on vacation and have to bring some home with you?!?! What was it? What fun things did you do over the weekend?!?!

Jackson's Mill Fall 2018

Happy Monday all!

And....even though I DO NOT get to be off work and call it a holiday...Happy Columbus Day!

Well, another Jackson's Mill weekend is in the books!  I met up with my favorite group of women to enjoy a weekend of relaxation at Jackson's Mill in WVa. It it a beautiful and amazing little place in West Virginia! We meet up there for a Conference three times a year and we always come home totally refreshed!

My BFF's!!!!!! These are some of the greatest and most supportive and loving women I have ever known!

We spent the weekend in so many of our favorite little Mom and Pop stores....shopping and goofing off!!!!!

A trip to Walmart is in order when one of you forgets their extra underwear...LOL!!! This awesome Pepsi Zero game was outside...we played and could not figure out why there was no line...it was free!!!! Then we saw what we won realized why there was no line...you could choose from a chip clip or a baby football-LOL!

 Here we all are again...it is so much fun when I get together with these ladies...

 The last night was a campfire and sing a long. It was awesome! It was a huge bonfire and they pass out booklets with the lyrics for everyone to sing along! There are wooden bleachers built around the bonfire pit and everyone sits down on those around the fire...in the dark.  Being a huge spider freak I decided to shine a light under the bleachers. I am so glad I did! I hurriedly moved my friend off the bleacher - she was sitting right on the top side of this horrible guy!!!!!!!!  He was super gross and super huge to a person that is terrified of spiders!

 UGH!!!! But we had fun singing and hanging out and laughing with everyone! Here is a photo of everyone and the fire from a nearby hillside! Soooo pretty!

 This is a photo I took on my Saturday morning walk...so peaceful and such a beautiful place!!!!!! Can't wait to go back in the Winter!

Thank you Jackson's Mill for another amazing weekend!!!! No one has better friends than me!! They are amazing and supportive and my lifeline - truly!

I hope everyone has a great Monday!!!! Hugs

What is your favorite quality in a friend? Do you have any rational or irrational fears? If so, what are you afraid of?

My Five on Friday / Friday Five

Good morning blogging besties~~~

I hope everyone has been having a great week! 

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!

UPDATE: Abby is the Starbucks winner!!! Send me your email and I will send you your Starbucks!!!

These are the five things that are currently rattling around in my mind...

ONE:  If you follow me you will know that I I have been preparing and talking a lot about my companies upcoming Halloween Party for Variety Children's Charity!  It is such a blast every year: the kids and families that attend are amazing and precious and it is a bigger party every year!!!

This year the theme is Star Wars!!! Over the past few weeks, I have spent many an evening folding these little doozies to leave around and decorate the food tables! The are actually papers you print out in color and fold into the characters. They take forever!!!!

The gangs all here!!!!!!!

 

TWO:  After careful consideration; I have decided to go in a non-Star Wars costume. People go with the theme and some deviate. I usually go with the theme but this year I cannot relate to any of the characters that much so I am deviating A LOT! Here is my costume...

I think it will be hilarious and the kids will love it!!! HA HA~

THREE:  If you look at the top left hand side of the Star Wars picture above; you will see the plaque that I proudly display on my desk at work. Here is what it says...

It keeps everything in perspective!!! I cannot believe the party is next week already!!!

FOUR:  I will be heading to Jackson's Mill, WV this weekend to attend a conference with some special friends!!!  I am soooo excited!! I always come home totally rejuvenated!!!!! I promise to post all about it next week!!!

FIVE:  And, last but not least, I will be attending the Steelers game on Sunday with my parents, sister, brother in law and niece!!! Go Steelers!!! I hope this game ends better than the last one!!!!

Who do you cheer for? Are you dressing up this Halloween? What are you dressing up as this Halloween? Your kids?

Happy weekend everyone!!!!!!!

Weekend Recap - Part 2 - Daddy's Birthday and Steelers Football

Good morning everyone!!!  Just finishing up the late weekend recap with  a Part 2!!! LOL!!

My family was in town this past weekend for the Great Race in Pittsburgh! We do the race every year as a family and this year did not disappoint!

After the race excitement was over (previous post) we celebrated my Dad's birthday since most o fus kids were there. We missed my brother and his family but he had to make an urgent trip to Japan for work. We love you guys if you are reading!!!! SMOOCHES!

After the race, we all went out to eat at Olive Garden and then everyone came over to my condo!!!  Did I mention how much I love everyone at my house??! I miss them all as soon as they leave - it is so fun to have people over!!! Especially my family!! Everyone chatted a while...

I love this of Mom and Dad snuggling in the chair...ran out of seats...LOL!!

Then we sang Happy Birthday to Dad and he blew out his 75 candles on his Bethel Bakery cake!!! Bethel Bakery is the only cake my family loves!!! We have used them since my parents moved to Bethel Park before we children were born! It is our go to bakery!!!

Then around 4PM everyone needed to head out...my little sister had a three hour drive home and my parents had a two hour drive. So we all said goodbye except my oldest sister and her husband and daughter. They were spending the night in Pittsburgh to go to the Steelers game at 8PM that night and they invited me along!!! YIPPEE!!

So off we all went to the game at Heinz Field!!!

Just a few obligatory selfies with the field in the background! We had a great time even though Steelers lost! UGH!!!  That atmosphere is so electric in Heinz Field on game day - I love being there in person!

The season can still turn around...Go Steelers!!! There is always next week!!!

Hope you all are having an amazing week!!!! Take care and please comment before you leave! I love hearing from you!!!

PS- I am picking a winner for my Starbucks giveaway tonight!! If you have not entered yet: go HERE!!!!  I will announce it in my blog post tomorrow!! 

I am also linking up with Thinking of Thursday and Rebecca Jo for her Thankful Thursday. You can link up with Rebecca Jo HERE.

Today I am thinking about how very thankful for friends and family that inspire and teach me everyday! My parents have been so supportive every time I call with questions about this dishwasher fiasco and my friends at work and home continue to give me great advice when I ask for it! 

I am so thankful that I know that I do not have to have all the answers today...I just have to find out who does - ask around and get ideas and input...this alone helps me soooo much!!!!!!!!


What team do you cheer for?? Would you rather watch in person or on TV? Do you have any family traditions that do not have anything to do with holidays? tell me about them please!! Hugs

Weekend Recap - Part 1 - The Great Race

Due my 1000th post and Starbucks giveaway I am a little late recapping the weekend...LOL!

Hope everyone is well - here goes...

My family came into town to run in the Great Race in Pittsburgh! We do this every year-at least every year for about the past six or seven?

You can register for a 10K or 5K. We always do the 10K but the past year we all dropped down to the 5K. Since we did, my mother is actually planning to run again next year (she stopped the past two years since she no longer wanted to run that distance). Family decision: we all register for the 5K next year!

I was so happy that my little sister and her three kids decided to come Saturday night and spend the night before the race!  My family has allergies and I live in a condo with four cats so sometimes they prefer to stay in a hotel. HA! I love when they stay though!!! My older sister stayed in a hotel with her husband and my niece. This is my niece nestled in her nest of a bed - this is where she prefers to sleep at my house (it is a papasan chair from Pier 1) HA!

The race was Sunday morning! The racers (my older sister, little sister, brother in law,  niece and nephew) sent us this photo from the start line around 6:45am....ready to race!!! (Funny story-I was supposed to run but my little nephew in the middle bottom of the photo below took my spot due to my knee issues lately...he smoked the race!!! He ran a 9:21 average mile and came in first of the whole family! LOL!!!! I think he found his calling!) 

 After we got a text with the photo above; we sent this picture back...it is us waiting at the finish line to make sure we high five everyone across the finish!!! The finish line crew was my two nieces, my Mom and Dad and myself!!

Here is a cute selfie in the dark car on the way down to the finish line in Pittsburgh ...

And...
With...
No...
Further...
Ado...

the finishers!!!!

Everyone finished the race and my nephew was thrilled with his medal!!! The pictures of the finishers are in no particular order except my nephew Ryan that smoked it!!! He finished first in the family with a 9:13 average mile!!!

Ryan!!!!!!!!

My niece (backwards) and my brother in law ...

My little sis...

My older sis...

I hope everyone else is having a great week!!!

Thank you to all my followers and if you have not done so yet, make sure to enter my giveaway for free starbucks here!!!!